Chapter 104 : Accepting Two Apprentices

Some people ate the steamed buns on the spot, while others tucked them into their pockets to take home for their children. These were large white steamed buns something they might not get to eat even twice a year.

Yun Siying got back into the driver’s seat and queued up with the rest. She stood out as a unique and striking presence in the group. All the people delivering public grain were men from various brigades, and she was the only woman among them. Not only that, but she was as beautiful as a flower, and the young men from other brigades were completely dazzled by her.

“Captain Jiang, is that female comrade the tractor driver for your team?” asked the captain of the Wangjia Brigade.

“Yes,” Captain Jiang replied curtly, clearly not in the mood to chat with him.

“It looks like your brigade is going downhill, actually letting a female comrade drive. Don’t you have any capable men left?”

People from the surrounding brigades burst into laughter when they heard that.

Captain Jiang was so furious that he nearly exploded, and just as he was about to argue back, a clear and confident female voice rang out:

“Comrade, the great leader said that men and women are equal, and that women hold up half the sky. Are you questioning the great leader’s words? Or do you want to go back to being a feudal landlord with three wives and four concubines, where men work outside and women stay home?”

Captain Wang’s face went pale at her words, his legs nearly giving out from fear. He quickly protested, “I didn’t say that! Don’t falsely accuse me!”

“I knew you wouldn’t admit it in front of everyone,” Yun Siying said calmly, glancing at him. “If you say you didn’t, then fine you didn’t.” But her tone made it clear she knew exactly what he had meant.

“You… Anyway, I really don’t think that way.”

The onlookers some who had come to watch the drama, others who disdained Yun Siying, and even some with different intentions, quieted down immediately. This young woman looked beautiful and harmless on the outside, but clearly, she was a powerful force. With just a few words, she completely shut down the usually arrogant Captain Wang.

Captain Jiang, watching Yun Siying’s sharp words and fearless spirit, felt immensely proud. He looked at the furious expression on Captain Wang’s face, took a big bite of the white steamed bun, and felt extremely satisfied.

Some people still didn’t believe that Yun Siying was really a skilled tractor driver. They waited, hoping the Hongxing Brigade would embarrass themselves. But to their disappointment, she really was a skilled driver and a very good one at that.

Since the Hongxing Brigade had arrived early, they finished delivering their public grain before noon and returned to the village smoothly. On the way back, the captain said, “Yun Siying, could you help train two tractor drivers for the brigade?”

“Sure but what’s the pay?” she replied. She wasn’t about to teach for free. Too often, people take advantage when someone gives too much without asking for anything in return.

“How about 20 centimeters [of grain or pay] per day?” the captain offered, clearly pained by the decision.

“Deal. Just make sure you pick the right people. It’s the off-season now, so we can start training tomorrow,” Yun Siying agreed readily.

The next day, the captain came to fetch her and brought her to the threshing ground to meet the two trainees. To her surprise, she recognized them.

“You two? What are you doing here?”

“Hehe, Master surprised?” Li Dazhuang grinned happily. He had finally become Yun Siying’s apprentice.

“I’m really shocked, alright then,” Yun Siying laughed.

“Master, I heard you showed off your skills at the Youth Courtyard yesterday. Now the whole village is talking about your legendary moment. It’s such a pity that Aimin and I didn’t see it with our own eyes,” Li Dazhuang said with deep regret.

“Is it really that exaggerated?” Yun Siying asked again, wanting to gauge the impact of what had happened.

“Master, it’s not just being talked about in our village it’s spreading to the neighboring villages too. Before long, your reputation as the ‘female devil’ will be known in every village!” Li Dazhuang replied excitedly.

Yun Siying was now satisfied. It seemed that her show of strength the day before had worked well. With that level of deterrence, they could probably enjoy some peace and quiet for a while.

Off to the side, Jiang Aimin covered his face with his hands. His friend thought he was praising their master, but in truth, he was just stirring things up. Afraid Li Dazhuang would say something even more outrageous, he gave him a discreet kick to make him stop.

“Aimin, why did you kick me?” Li Dazhuang asked innocently, his big eyes wide open.

Jiang Aimin caught Yun Siying looking at them with a half-smile and, resisting the urge to kick his friend harder, said, “It was an accident.”

“Aimin, I know you’re not trying to harm me, so I’ll let it go this time,” Li Dazhuang said, genuinely believing it.

“Alright, come over here. Let’s begin the lesson,” Yun Siying said.

“Okay, Master! We’ll study hard!” the two of them replied in unison.

Yun Siying began patiently teaching them the basics of operating a tractor. By the time they grasped the theory, it was already noon. In the afternoon, she moved on to hands-on practice. By the time dusk fell, though their speed was still slow, both of them were able to drive the tractor by themselves around the threshing ground.

On the second day, Yun Siying had them take the tractor out onto the road while she gave instructions and observed from the side. Both Li Dazhuang and Jiang Aimin were earnest and focused, and Yun Siying put her heart into teaching them. The two progressed rapidly day by day.

In just three days, they learned to drive from the village to the county town on their own—and back again.

“Master, does this mean we’ve graduated?” Jiang Aimin asked joyfully as he jumped off the tractor.

“Yep, my mission is complete,” Yun Siying said with a smile. She was quite pleased with her two apprentices. Though training them took some effort, they were attentive, quick learners with strong hands-on abilities.

“Master, now that we’ve graduated, let’s go celebrate at the state-owned restaurant!” Jiang Aimin and Li Dazhuang had already made up their minds to treat their master to a good meal. They knew well how lucky they were to be trained by Yun Siying.

Others who went to the county to learn tractor driving had to bring expensive gifts for their instructors, were often scolded harshly, and rarely got actual time behind the wheel.

Yun Siying knew the two of them often sold mountain goods on the black market and had some money stashed away. Since it was their idea, she accepted with a smile. “Alright! Let’s celebrate.”

Jiang Aimin drove the tractor to the state-owned restaurant in the county town. The three of them got off and went inside. Jiang Aimin said, “Master, pick whatever dishes you want we’ve got the money.”

“Okay,” Yun Siying replied, not holding back. She ordered braised pork, fish-flavored eggplant, honey-glazed spare ribs, and duck in sauce.

The meal cost over five yuan, along with the necessary meat and food coupons. The three ate heartily and left the restaurant satisfied and full.